Fluid injection system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus for efficient, durable, reliable, and cost-effective fluid injection. In particular, the present invention provides an unpowered device for automatic fluid injection dictated by pressure differential in the line. More specifically, the present invention provides a device for injecting a degreasing chemical into air relief valves in municipal wastewater systems, which operates off of the differential pressure in the pumped lines resulting from the pump operating cycles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/748,355, filed on May 14, 2007, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/747,208, filed May 15, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus for efficient, durable, reliable, and cost-effective fluid injection. In particular, the present invention provides an unpowered device for automatic fluid injection dictated by pressure differential in the line. More specifically, the present invention provides a device for injecting a degreasing chemical into air relief valves in municipal wastewater systems.

The ability to manipulate and control the flow of wastewater is a fundamental element in the infrastructure of any civilized society. Modern, municipal wastewater systems are typically designed to take advantage of the force of gravity to control the flow of the wastewater. This, of course, is accomplished by arranging the layout of the hydraulic infrastructure to flow in a downhill direction as much as possible. This system is extremely energy efficient and works well for the most part; however, in many instances, the terrain or other barriers require the direction of flow to be manipulated by a mechanical device. These pumping facilities, or lift stations, are thus required to pump the flow of the sewage over the high spots in the line of the sewage flow, in order to ensure the flow reaches the final treatment plant. Therefore, it is essential to the working structure of any wastewater system to not only have efficient and reliable lift stations, but it is also essential to have reliable pressure lines, or force mains, which carry the wastewater under pressure on its journey to the final treatment plant.

In order to properly protect these wastewater systems from air entrapment and surge (or water hammer), air relief valves must be installed at the “high” points in the sewage force mains. In essence, one requirement for air relief valves in the force main is to allow for release of air or gasses in the lines to prevent pressure build-up. Additionally, air or gases must be released from the lines in order to reduce the surge, or water hammer, that results from the opening or closing of valves or pumping units throughout the system. However, not only must the air valves reliably open, in order to allow for release of air or gas pressure build-up in the lines, they must also reliably close, in order to prevent contamination of the surrounding areas, and water table in particular, due to the release of sewage through an air valve stuck in the open position.

Clearly, then, these air valves must reliably operate in all conceivable conditions, from urban settings to extremely remote areas, in order to both protect the force mains from over-pressure and water hammer, and to protect the environment from contamination from escaping wastewater. A number of conditions and environmental contributors can affect the reliable operation of such an air relief valve. One such condition is the collection of grease in the sewage lines at the high points of the force mains. Grease from the sewage collects at these points, and inhibits the operation of the air valves, particularly the opening of the air valves in order to prevent overpressure and surge in the sewage lines.

However, although the existence of degreasing chemicals are known in the art to deal with the buildup of grease, no reliable method of introducing the degreaser into the appropriate areas exists, to ensure reliable operation of the air valves. One reason for this lack of technology is the lack of widespread recognition in the art that grease is the culprit to the failure of these air relief valves. Another reason for the lack of development of a reliable, universal system that can be used anywhere in the sewage line for degreasing an air valve, is the fact that often times the remote locations of the air relief valves do not facilitate the use of an electronic or other powered means of actuation and control.

In view of the limitations of products currently known in the art, a tremendous need exists for an automatic fluid injection device that is efficient, durable, reliable, and cost-effective. Applicant's invention, by its novel design provides a solution in view of currently available devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for fluid injection that reliable in operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for fluid injection that is efficient in operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for fluid injection that is durable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for fluid injection that does not require a powered means for operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for fluid injection that is cost efficient.

In satisfaction of these and other related objectives, the present invention provides a device for the reliable injection of fluid. This system provides for an unpowered device for automatic fluid injection dictated by pressure differential in the line. As will be discussed in the specification to follow, the practice of the present invention provides a combination of components so aligned to provide a device for injecting a degreasing chemical into air relief valves in municipal wastewater systems in practically any environmental condition.

One embodiment of the present invention incorporates a diaphragm device that utilizes the pressure generated by the initiation of a pressure cycle at the lift station of a municipal wastewater system in order to actuate a piston to force a degreaser chemical into the air relief valve at the high point of a force main. In other words, in a novel distinction from the known prior art, the present invention uses the pressure differential in the line in order to both control and power the injection of the degreaser chemical into the air valve to prevent a grease clog in the air valve of the system. Thus, no electricity or other power source is necessary to control the injection of the degreaser chemical other than the existing pressure differentials in the wastewater line itself.

The novelty and unobviousness of the present invention is exemplified by the concept of the device as provided by its operating sequence. One object of the present invention is to apply the difference in line pressure that exists between the lift station pump on and off cycles to inject a specific amount of degreaser fluid into an automatic air vent. The typical operating sequence is as follows. During the pump off cycle, a diaphragm spring retracts a piston, drawing a specific amount of degreaser through a suction valve and into a cylinder. The spring is sized to overcome the minimum pressure that already exists in the pumped line. Then, during the pump on cycle, the force created by the diaphragm, which is tied into the vent line at the air valve, overcomes the discharge valve and advances the piston, discharging a specific amount of degreaser chemical through the discharge valve and into the automatic air vent. The pressure created by the piston is greater than the maximum pumped line pressure because the area of the piston is less than the area of the diaphragm.

In summary, then, an embodiment of the present invention provides a reliable, durable, cost-effective, device for automatically injecting a degreasing chemical into the air valve of a force main of a municipal wastewater system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Applicant's invention may be further understood from a description of the accompanying drawings, wherein unless otherwise specified, like referenced numerals are intended to depict like components in the various views.

The FIGURE is a schematic of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the FIGURE, a schematic for a device for controlling the reliable operation of an air venting system by injecting a degreasing chemical into the automatic air vent of a force main of a wastewater system is depicted. An example of a degreasing chemical that may be used in the present application is MICROSOLVE, manufactured and distributed by Arrow Cleaning and Hygiene Solutions in Derbyshire, Del.; however, other comparable products, known in the industry, may be substituted within the scope of the present invention. The system itself operates off of an automatic air valve 12, which runs off of a vent line from the pumped line or force main. An actuation pressure line 10 is ported from the input side of automatic air valve 12. Examples of automatic air valves 12 that may be used in the system of the present invention include VENT-O-MAT Series RGX sewage air valves manufactured by Dynamic Fluid Control, Ltd. operating out of South Africa. Other comparable valves, known in the industry, may be substituted as well. The actuation pressure line 10 is in fluid connection with a diaphragm 9, which controls the pressure needed to overcome the pressure of a return spring 8, resulting in the injection of a specific amount of degreaser into the input side of the air valve 12. The exact amount of degreaser needed to maintain proper functioning of the air valve 12 is dependent on the specific degreasing chemical used, the specific air valve used, and the amount of grease encountered in the wastewater system, as may be predicted and/or determined by one skilled in the art. The return spring 8 in its normal position retracts a piston 5 of a cylinder 4 drawing a specific amount of degreaser fluid from a degreaser tank 1 through a suction valve 3. The degreaser tank 1 is used in order to store the proper amount of the degreaser (injecting fluid) necessary for an evaluated amount of time in order to ensure that the system will not run dry. For instance, a ten gallon tank may be required for a thirty day operating cycle; however, the exact quantity and capacity necessary will vary according to needs of the application and are accordingly within the scope of the present invention. When the pressure exerted on the diaphragm 9 exceeds the pressure of the return spring 8, the piston 5 of the cylinder 4 injects a specific amount of degreasing chemical into the input side of the air valve 12 through a pressure line 11.

In operation, the device uses the differential in line pressure that exists between the pump on and off cycles to inject a specific amount of degreaser fluid into an automatic air valve. The operating sequence to follow outlines the novel approach to this system, relying on the differential pressures in the wastewater system itself rather than complicated electronics or other power means. First, during the pump off cycle, the return spring 8 retracts the piston 5, drawing degreaser from the degreasing tank 1 through the suction valve 3 and into the cylinder 4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the return spring 8 is sized to overcome the minimum pressure that normally exists in the pumped line, which is readily calculable by one skilled in the art. Next, during the pump on cycle, the force created by the diaphragm 9 from the actuating pressure line 10 overcomes the pressure of the return spring 8 and advances the piston 5 discharging a specific amount of degreaser chemical through discharge valve 2 into the pressure line 11 and into the automatic air valve 12. In the preferred embodiment, the pressure created by the piston 5 is greater than the maximum pumped line pressure; therefore, the area of the piston 5 is less than the area of the diaphragm 9.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for controlling grease buildup in wastewater air venting systems, comprising: a cylinder member having an inlet in fluid connection with a specified amount of degreasing chemical and an outlet in fluid communication with an input side of an air relief valve; and a diaphragm in fluid communication with the input side of the air relief valve, said diaphragm being configured to draw degreasing chemical into said cylinder member under normal pressure operating conditions at the input side of the air relief valve, said diaphragm being actuated to inject said degreasing chemical at the input side of the air relief valve via said cylinder member when pressure at the input side of said air relief valve exceeds a predetermined amount.
 2. An apparatus for controlling grease buildup in wastewater air venting systems, comprising: a reservoir containing a first specified amount of degreasing chemical; a cylinder having an inlet in fluid connection with said reservoir and an outlet in fluid communication with an input side of an air relief valve; and a diaphragm in fluid connection with the input side of the air relief valve, said diaphragm being configured to draw a second specified amount of degreasing chemical into said cylinder from said reservoir when pressure acting on the input side of said air relief valve drops below a specified level, said diaphragm being actuated to inject said second specified amount of degreasing chemical at the input side of the air relief valve via said cylinder when pressure acting at the input side of said air relief valve exceeds said specified level.
 3. The apparatus in claim 2, wherein said pressure acting on the input side of said air relief valve is communicated to said diaphragm via said fluid connection between said diaphragm and the input side of said air relief valve.
 4. The apparatus in claim 3, wherein said diaphragm has a biasing member for communicating said specified level of pressure to said cylinder.
 5. The apparatus in claim 4, further comprising a suction valve situated between said reservoir and said cylinder, said suction valve preventing backflow of said degreaser chemical from said cylinder to said reservoir.
 6. The apparatus in claim 5, further comprising a discharge valve situated between said cylinder and the input side of said air relief valve, said discharge valve preventing backflow of fluid from the input side of said air relief valve to said cylinder. 